By Anderson Ojwang
The writing could be on the wall, and the script is rolling out fast. With each character playing their roles. The scenes are unfolding and the once darling in the king’s palace is fast becoming a pariah at the king’s high table. He is under siege from all corners and has been left as a lone voice and ranger.
The troops have made an abrupt about turn, now dine and wine in a new formation, the broad-based government yet he remains stuck in the old attire and is the only one who sat at the king’s table who is critical of the holy or unholy union.
This is the changing fortunes for Siaya Governor James Orengo who previously had the ears and eyes of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.
In his place, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has assumed the role and is currently Raila and his elder brother, Siaya Senator Dr Oburu Oginga, new kid on the block.
Wandayi is seen as a possible heir apparent to Raila’s throne and probably a suitable candidate to take over from Orengo in the 2027 gubernatorial elections.
Orengo, who has been an ardent critic of the broad-based government and the political union between ODM and UDA, has continued with his one-man battle that now puts him in confrontation with party leadership.
On Saturday, in Siaya, during the burial of Raila’s long serving and trusted aide George Oduor that was also attended by President Ruto, Orengo did not fail to state his disapproval of the union and went ahead to say that he would not fall to praise and worship songs as had been exhibited by previous speakers from the region.
Orengo said he cannot sing a song of praise for the government and that it was right for the people of Siaya to receive development from the government.
“What I am trying to say is that let’s build a society that is built on the Constitution and the rule of law. We can say many things, but for me, I cannot be a praise singer.
Because we fought for a democratic constitution, where people should talk. I was in Parliament when people used to tell President Daniel Arap Moi that there is nowhere you will go and that you will be in power until the day you want to go.
They told Moi then and I was a member of parliament that time. There were only a few of us who said we cannot have this system of government and Raila was the head at that time, when Jaramogi had died, that we do not want that system of government.
So I am asking you, Kenyans, this constitution that we fought for, it is a very difficult document to keep and if we keep on singing praises every time, we will not have a country. So I urge you, tell your leaders the truth.
Mr. President, when you came here for the first time, I was the only one who was here to receive you.
I was here because I was convinced that institutions must work. Even Rarieda MP Paul Otiende Amollo, who is here said then said he cannot come. I tried to persuade him but failed. I was here alone with you. Because I don’t sing praise, I believe you are the president, and we are going to talk.
So this country will go to the dogs again if the kind of language I am hearing here today continues.
When you have something to be brought to Siaya, it is a matter of our right, it is not like you are being given, it’s a matter of right
I cried when I was in parliament with John Okwanyo, Odongo Omamo, among others, and I was the only backbencher. They used to tell me that I should be in the government. But I told them all must not be in the government,” he said.
Siaya senator Dr Oburu Odinga set the tone by declaring they were rightfully in the broad-based government and had no reason to pull out.
“We joined the broad-based government to help you stabilise the government, and we were not worried by those objecting to the new political formation.
We want to encourage the country to be peaceful, we are going to work together and those our friends who think otherwise should also continue to think otherwise, and we will remain friends with them, but they should know that as ODM, we have decided to work in this broad-based government.
We have lent you people to work with you and what I want to appeal for, let our region get its share of development,” he said.
Wandayi, following the footsteps of Oburu, declared that the community was in government to stay and that they had given Raila the mandate to work with the president.
“I want to thank Raila for agreeing to work with you closely to unite this country. Your Excellency, where you sit be rest assured that Baba has got our collective mandate as the people of this region to assist you in uniting this country.
And from where we sit, Your Excellency, there is no turning back, we have made a decision that we are working with you, and we are doing this to the end.
Your Excellency, do not be threatened by anything or anybody. And those shouting Ruto must go, I want to tell you this, he is going nowhere.
In this region, we are not known to be double speakers ,we say what we believe in and we do what we say. We have said in one accord, we are in this government as a people and we want to continue in that manner,” he said.
Alego MP Sam Atandi once an ally of Orengo but now a bitter critic asked Orengo to concentrate in managing Siaya county government, where he claimed he has failed to deliver.
“We are in government. we are participating in creating policies for this government. And we supporting this government inside and outside parliament.
I want to tell my governor Orengo, last weekend, we were at a funeral in Siaya, when the president came to condole with us. My governor made certain remarks that were really distasteful. I want to tell Orengo that the Luos were not created to stay in the opposition.
I know he has been in opposition since he was born and there is nothing he understands other than opposition. Let him concentrate on managing Siaya County,” he said.
